2019 Domaine Cabirau, Côtes du Roussillon — Although Roussillon is often considered just a part of Languedoc, this southern French region is quite distinct, both culturally and geographically.

The inhabitants are Catalan and the location, in the eastern Pyrenees, is mountainous, in contrast to the flat coastal plains of the Languedoc. Domaine Cabirau is located about 20 miles north of Spain and 20 miles from the Mediterranean. Their vineyards are planted on steep slopes below the ancient Cathar fortress of Queribus, in soil composed primarily of dark schist, which imparts a distinct mineral character to the wines. This wine is 50% Grenache, 27% Carignan, and 23% Syrah. It is full bodied, with dark red fruit flavors, notes of herbs, and hints of black licorice. It’s ready to drink anytime, with, they suggest, fine meals of lamb, wild birds, or game. $18

2021 City Limits, The Citizen — Morgan Lee has been winemaker at both Two Vintners Winery and Covington Cellars for years. He created City Limits as a side project, with a goal of crafting delicious Washington wines at an affordable price. With his long winemaking history in the state, he has access to excellent vineyard sites. This wine is a blend of 80% Zinfandel, 8% each Primitivo and Petite Sirah, and 4% Merlot, from StoneTree Vineyard, in the Wahluke Slope AVA. Aged 18 months in 20% new French and American oak, it is warm and dark, with notes of blackberry and plum, great texture, and nice, food-friendly acidity on the finish. Morgan donates a portion of the proceeds from this wine to NAMI (the National Alliance on Mental Illness). $18

2021 Cedergreen, Sauvignon Blanc — This Woodinville-based winery is owned by Kevin and Julie Cedegreen who strive to make food friendly, fruit forward wines with bright flavors. Their crisp Sauv Blanc has long been one of our go-to wines for anyone looking for a clean, fresh pairing for seafood. Sourced from Solstice and Meek vineyards, both in the Yakima Valley, and fermented in stainless steel, it’s a wonderful match for oysters, shrimp, crabs, or scallops. In fact, back in the days of the Pacific Coast Oyster Wine Competition, it won their “Oyster Award” on more than one occasion. The new 2021 vintage comes from a warmer year, which, along with a touch of Semillon in the blend, adds a delightful bit of richness to this classic Washington white. $17

2019 Vignoble Guillaume, Franche-Comté Chardonnay — This winery is located in a region of northeast France known as Franche-Comté (the “Free County” of Burgundy), in the foothills of the Jura Mountains near the Swiss border. Here the Guillaume family owns one of the largest vine nurseries in the world with clones from top producers throughout the country. When they began their own winery, about 50 years ago, they were able to use those coveted vines for their own wines. As Franche-Comté is a bit cooler and more mountainous than Burgundy, wines from this region are typically fresh and clean with wonderful minerality, and this Chard is a beautiful example. Its rich color hints at its layered, complex flavors that pair well with pork, richer fish dishes, or quiche. $17.50

2020 Bodega Nekeas, El Chaparral de Vega Sindoa — This 100% Garnacha comes from vineyards planted between 1890 and 1960 in the Valley of Valdizarbe, in Navarra, just north of Rioja in northern Spain. It is Navarra’s most historical viticultural area, and Bodegas Nekeas has been instrumental in keeping it thriving. El Chapparal is their top wine, sourced from 70- to 115-year-old bush vines and aged seven months in second use French oak barrels. Importer Jorge Ordonez considers this wine an expression of “Atlantic Grenache,” due to the influence of the ocean winds on the vines in these high valleys in the Pyrenees. The result is a juicy, spicy red with dusty tannins, bright red fruit, and notes of black pepper, with great minerality. Try it with spicy stews, lamb, or poultry dishes. $17

2016 Miguel Torres, Las Mulas Reserva, Cabernet Sauvignon — The Miguel Torres family already had a long history of winemaking in Spain before they they arrived in the Curicó Valley of Chile in 1979. Today they produce wine in multiple parts of Chile’s Central Valley, between the Pacific and the Andes Mountains. Their Las Mulas line is dedicated to the local mules that have tirelessly accompanied them in their work on the steep slopes of the Andes. This wine is 100% Cabernet, farmed organically, fermented in stainless steel, and aged in neutral French oak barrels. Being from the 2016 vintage, it already has a nice bit of mellowing age and is aromatic, with spicy red fruit flavors and soft tannins. Try it with roasted red meats, empanadas, or mixed grills. $19.50